Alaska, Japan, Age of Imperialism
America’s Foreign Policy Over the Years
1793
1803-1853
Washington issues Neutrality Proclamation
Isolationism – staying out of other people’s affairs
Manifest Destiny
Louisiana Purchase
1803
Expansionism within North America starts
Annexation of Texas
1845
Expansionism really heats up within North America
1846
Compromise with Britain over the Oregon Territory
1848
Mexican Cession
1853
Gadsden Purchase
1866-1900
Period of Imperialism
Growth of industry
Need for raw materials
Markets for goods
Spread religion and democracy
Competition - control
Mr. Cripps’ Notes
Japan
What was Japan’s stand on foreign trade before the
early 1850’s?
• No trade with foreigners
Why did President Millard Fillmore send
Commodore Matthew Perry to Japan?
• Open up trade
• Provide help for shipwrecked sailors
What effect did the Treaty of Kanagawa(1854) have
on Japan?
• Launched trade between Japan and the West
• Japan modernized using the U.S. as a model
Alaska
Purchased from: Russia
Year Acquired: 1867
Cost: 7.2 million dollars
Purchased by: Secretary of State William Seward
Nickname for purchase: Seward’s Folly
Reason acquired: base for trade in Pacific Ocean
Positive Attributes: copper, gold, timber, oil
Your Notes